Chapter 155: New Elixir Formula

More than a month later.

Behind Wangyue Island, over a dozen azure sword qi, each tens of zhang long, crisscrossed through the air, each possessing immense power.

Qin Ming, with fingers forming the Qingming Sword Seal, was testing the power of his newly acquired spiritual weapon sword.

His gaze was sharp as he formed the seal and pointed a finger.

The dozen azure sword qi in the sky instantly merged into one, transforming into a single azure blade of light over ten zhang long.

He directed the blade of light and slashed it down toward Wangyue Lake.

BOOM! A trench dozens of zhang long instantly appeared on the lake's surface, briefly creating a vacuum zone.

If this sword strike landed on a person, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator at mid-stage would struggle to withstand it.

Qin Ming dismissed the sword seal, his expression one of clear satisfaction.

He raised his hand and summoned a blue spiritual weapon sword that sliced through the sky, landing precisely in his grasp.

Qin Ming gently wiped the blade's surface, reluctant to let it go.

This second-rank mid-grade spiritual weapon was named Qingluan Sword, a masterpiece of Fang Yezi, the master armorer of Canghai Xiancheng.

It contained twenty-seven magical seals, placing it among the upper tier of mid-grade spiritual weapons.

It had cost Qin Ming over twenty thousand lower-grade spirit stones, but every bit was worth it.

This was the highest-grade spiritual weapon available for purchase in Canghai Xiancheng.

With such a weapon in hand, Qin Ming's confidence surged further.

Better spiritual weapons were rare finds—either you secured high-grade spiritual materials for custom forging, or you waited for fate to present one.

This sword had just been delivered today by Long Yi, personally from Jingxue Pavilion.

The moment he obtained the Qingluan Spirit Sword, Qin Ming eagerly began practicing the Foundation Establishment section of the Qingming Sword Scripture.

After cultivating for a while, he put away the spirit sword and returned to his cave dwelling.

During this time,

he received a reply from Su Yuqing, whose jade slip lavishly praised him.

It was followed by several precious elixir formulas.

Not only did it include the two elixir formulas he had sought, but also several others usable by Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with refining insights.

"Sent so many valuable things—finally not wasted!"

"Worth every bit!"

Qin Ming held the elixir formulas, filled with deep emotion.

These formulas, anywhere he took them, were worth a fortune—even in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world, they might be unobtainable.

Qin Ming's gaze settled on a second-rank low-grade elixir formula named "Nieling Dan."

It was a special elixir capable of rapidly boosting a beast's cultivation base.

The required spiritual materials listed on the formula were highly complex, totaling over twenty kinds.

Yet once matured, the Xianshui Crocodile and Six-Winged Frost Bee would become two major assets to him.

The investment had to be made.

Immediately,

Qin Ming went down to the island and instructed Wu Jiang to gather the spiritual materials for him.

When Qin Ming found Wu Jiang, he was laboring alongside his Wu clan kin, planting crops on the outskirts of Lingdao.

Upon receiving Qin Ming's order, Wu Jiang immediately dropped his spirit hoe and set off without a word.

In the meantime, Qin Ming visited the Tianhe Bazaar several times, inquiring about high-grade beast blood.

Unfortunately, he found nothing.

Meanwhile,

the news that Jingxue Pavilion would auction a Foundation Establishment Elixir in Canghai Xiancheng spread like thunder across the cultivation world.

Instantly, Jingxue Pavilion's prestige and influence soared to unimaginable heights.

Countless cultivators rushed to spread the word, and factions began converging on Canghai Xiancheng.

The last time Canghai Xiancheng auctioned a Foundation Establishment Elixir was decades ago.

Even those who couldn't afford to bid would come just to witness such a rare spectacle.

Qin Ming also received a message from Gu Qingzhao.

During this period, Jingxue Pavilion had received numerous auction commissions, including many rare treasures.

There was a strong chance the high-grade beast blood Qin Ming needed would appear in this auction.

Because Gu Qingzhao had already received a commission to auction a second-rank beast core.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was greatly encouraged. If a beast core was being auctioned, then beast blood couldn't be far behind.

Another half-month passed.

Wu Jiang's efficiency

far exceeded Qin Ming's expectations—he mobilized his connections and gathered enough materials for three full batches of Nieling Dan in just half a month.

"Wu Dao friend, you've done well!" Qin Ming patted Wu Jiang's shoulder with great satisfaction.

After giving him spirit stones, he handed him a jade slip.

"These are my early experiences cultivating Beast Tooth Rice—you can study them."

Wu Jiang accepted the jade slip, his face lit with overwhelming joy.

After bidding farewell to Qin Ming, he clutched the jade slip and plunged into intense study.

Qin Ming returned to his cave dwelling and began studying the Nieling Dan formula.

After reading it several times,

he retrieved the Xuan Jade Furnace and prepared to begin refining.

The difficulty of refining Nieling Dan among second-rank elixirs was not particularly high.

For him, it was practically effortless.

Qin Ming raised his hand, and the ice-blue Shi Ling Poison Flame shot out, evenly heating the Xuan Jade Furnace.

This was his first time refining with a second-rank supreme elixir furnace.

The refining process became smoother than ever.

The entire process flowed seamlessly, without a single misstep.

After one incense stick's time,

an unusual elixir fragrance filled the cave.

The scent reached outside, instantly waking the dozing Xianshui Crocodile, who shivered with alertness.

Following the aroma's source, it rushed to Qin Ming's cave entrance and lay there, drooling profusely.

The Six-Winged Frost Bee also flew out from its hive on the Changsheng Vine, hovering outside, buzzing anxiously.

Qin Ming sensed the unusual behavior of his two spiritual beasts.

"What's the rush? Wait patiently."

At these words, the beast and insect fell still, obediently waiting.

Qin Ming collected the two newly refined Nieling Dan.

After cleaning the Xuan Jade Furnace, he began refining the next batch.

Time passed gradually.

After several refining attempts, Qin Ming had produced twelve Nieling Dan in total.

For beasts, this elixir was an irresistible lure.

Qin Ming could feel his two spiritual beasts were nearly bursting with impatience.

He gathered his belongings, rose, and stepped out of the cave.

From a porcelain bottle, he poured out two crimson elixirs, flicked them with his fingers, and precisely dropped them into the mouths of the two beasts.

After swallowing the Nieling Dan, the Xianshui Crocodile and Six-Winged Frost Bee eagerly sought out separate spots to absorb the elixir's power.

"I wonder—if one Nieling Dan is enough, will this beast and insect break through to second rank?"

The Six-Winged Frost Bee flew back into its hive on the Changsheng Vine.

The Xianshui Crocodile, when Qin Ming followed, was found digging a hole beneath the main peak and had crawled inside.

It then closed its eyes and fell into deep sleep.

Qin Ming scanned the Xianshui Crocodile with his spiritual sense and found its aura fluctuating wildly—the Nieling Dan's effects had begun to activate.

But judging by its condition, it would take some time to fully absorb the elixir's power.

Just then,

Gu Qingzhao sent a message through Long Yi to Qin Ming.

"Qin Dao friend, the high-grade beast blood you sought has finally turned up."

"A cultivator from Canghai Xiancheng has commissioned the Pavilion to auction a small vial of early-stage second-rank beast blood."

"However, it is not from a primate beast."

"It is the rarer second-rank beast, Bixue Suan Ni."

(End of Chapter)